Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this fine day!

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Have you ever been alarmed by sounds your child(ren) make(s) while sleeping?  Should you be concerned that your child is grinding their teeth during the day and/or at night?  These are on-goings that you should pay close attention to just to make sure that there’s not more going on.  It is common for children to grind their teeth, especially during sleep.  Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is most common when baby teeth begin to emerge and permanent teeth come in.  While it generally goes away, there are a few considerations you should be aware of.

Experts are not 100% sure what causes grinding, but professionals point fingers at a number of possible reasons.  Tension or anxiety, pain (from earaches or teething for example), or malocclusion (a dental term for when the teeth don’t line up just right) are just a few.  Some also suggest that breathing problems-from a stuffy nose or allergies may play a role.  Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc can influence a child to grind their teeth.  Bruxism may be caused by minor changes in inner ear pressure, similar to what’s experienced on an airplane.  Your child may also just be getting used to the sensation of having teeth in their mouth.  It’s common among babies who are getting their first teeth, beginning around 5 or 6 months of age.  It’s also common among children who are starting to get their permanent teeth, at around 6 years of age.  About 38% of children grind their teeth.  The average age of starting the habit is around 3 1/2 years, & the average of stopping is 6- though, of course, people of all ages grind their teeth.  Your child is a bit more likely to grind his/her teeth if they drool or talk in their sleep.  In most cases, teeth grinding sounds worse than it is.

The reason that I am mentioning all of these possible reasons for grinding, is so that you can mention it to your dentist & doctor so that they can take a closer look at your child’s overall health.  You should express additional concerns if:

• your child is having trouble sleeping or is waking frequently throughout the night
• jaw pain or soreness
• headaches
• tooth sensitivity or pain not associated with other dental issues

The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment.  The good news is that most children outgrow bruxism.  However, being aware of the overall health & development of your child is the most important message I would like to convey today.  No matter what is going on, early intervention is always best approach.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

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Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, feeling HOT, HOT, HOT this Miami Summer day!

At least here in sunny South Florida, the most common summer activity for kids is pool time!  What most parents don’t know is that swimming in the pool can have some surprising affects on their kids teeth.  Yellowish-brown stains can develop on teeth as a result of prolonged exposure to improperly balanced pool water.

Many times we are not responsible or in control of public swimming pools & what their PH levels are at, but if your kids swim in your own pool, it is your job to be aware if your pool levels are safe.  Using a simple pool PH meter can help keep your pool safe for you & your family.

If a pool’s water chemistry isn’t balanced, children & adults that swim in the pool for multiple hours a day are at risk of developing yellowish-brown staining on their teeth.  Most pools are maintained at a PH of 7.2-7.8.  However, if the pool’s PH rises above 7.8 then the pool’s water is alkaline.  The higer PH level in the pools causes salivary proteins to break down & combine with minerals in the mouth to form those unsightly stains.

In a recent study, researchers from NYU assessed a case in which a man had suffered rapid enamel loss & staining to his teeth in a very short time span of 5 months.  After looking into the circumstances of those 5 months, the researchers found that the damage to thte man’s teeth coincided with his implementation of a new fitness regimen that involved 90 minutes of swimming in his privately owned pool.  Further research revealed that the pool in question contained water that was improperly maintained.  It had an improper PH balance , & the researchers determined that the acidic water was responsible for the enamel loss & staining.

Fortunately the staining can be removed by keeping up with your routine dental care.  With the proper precautions, you will be able to enjoy your pool all summer long without subjecting your teeth to damage.  If you have a child that is a competitive swimmer & spending a lot of time in the water it would be a good idea to look at your child’s teeth from time to time to make sure you don’t notice any drastic changes in the enamel.

In addition to our interesting pool water effect on teeth, I wanted to share a cool product that I just came across while doing some research.  The product that I am about to share is by no means in place of ALWAYS keeping eyes on your children while they are swimming, but in the case of an accident or if your child(ren) are under the supervision of others, it is a very helpful tool that can save lives. Check it out!

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NEVER let anyone swim alone. Not intended as a replacement for diligent supervision.

You are alerted, so tragedy may be averted.  The iSWIMBAND is a wearable drowning detection device that provides an extra layer of protection in & around water.  A portable, simple-to-use safety system that works in pools, lakes, rivers, and at the beach that alerts when a swimmer has been submerged for too long or if a non-swimmer enters the water. This device can monitor up to 8 iSwimbands per device & up to 100 foot line-of-sight range.  There is also an iSwimband Swim Monitor App for IOS & Android Devices.  This free app alerts you if a child remains submerged for too long or if a toddler enters the water.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day!”

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this lovely summer day!

For those that are or try to be “health conscious” with you & your family’s diet, you will probably come across “Greek Yogurt” as a healthy substitute for many recipes.  Well, I’m here to inform you that Greek Yogurt is actually a dental super food!  This is especially great new with the rise in families making smarter choices for themselves & their children.  In addition to Greek Yogurt’s digestive health benefit, below are some ways eating Greek Yogurt will also help you with a healthy smile:

GREEK YOGURT HELPS FIGHT CAVITIES

The “good bacteria” in Greek Yogurt called probiotics are active cultures that are believed to slow the growth of cavity causing bacteria.  Keeping your gums healthy is crucial to your overall health because gum disease can put you at risk for a wide range of other health issues including heart disease.

GREEK YOGURT HELPS KEEP TEETH STRONG

Yogurt is high in calcium which helps to keep your teeth strong.  Calcium works by maintaining the density of your skeletal bones through years of deposit while your body is growing the most.  This is why it is an especially good benefit for children to eat yogurt.  Once permanent teeth appear, calcium continues to help prevent tooth decay by keeping enamel strong.

GREEK YOGURT HELPS FIGHT BAD BREATH

Bad breath is caused by a compound called hydrogen sulfide.  Researchers have discovered that one way to greatly reduce this compound is to eat six ounces of yogurt daily.  So another benefit of probiotics found in yogurt is that it helps keep smelly bacteria in check!

GREEK YOGURT HELPS FIGHT AN ACIDIC MOUTH

Cavity-causing bacteria love an acidic mouth.  Yogurt actually counters this by balancing your mouth’s PH levels & creating a less accommodating place for bacteria to grow & flourish.

The best yogurt for good oral health is plain & sugar free.  Greek Yogurts contain the most amount of probiotics.  If you or your kids crave a sweet addition to your yogurt, you can use a small amount of fresh fruit or natural sweetener.  Remember that even with a healthy diet comes the responsibility of good oral hygiene.  Don’t forget to brush & floss at least twice a day!  Below you will find some links with some great ways to incorporate Greek Yogurt into your diet & how to use Greek Yogurt in many of your favorite recipes in place of unhealthy ingredients.  Making “better & smarter” choices is a good start to a healthy lifestyle for you & your family!  Let’s work together to keep the Mouth Monsters away & live Monster-Free!

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Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well after a long weekend of fun!

It may seem as if Summer just started, but I’d thought it would be a good idea to keep you on track & think about what you should take care of while the kids are out of school.  First I’d like to provide a dental timeline for those first-time moms & dads or for those parents that now have big kiddos & have recently added a newbie to the equation.  This will help remind you about what you should be doing at each stage to help promote good oral care from the start.  Good oral hygiene is important for so many reasons, but today I would really like to drive home the correlation between poor oral health & poor academic performance.  The summer is a great time to address any pending cavities or dental concerns so that your child/children do not have to miss school to take care of these issues.  If your child is up to date with their routine cleanings & check ups, then this is one less worry you will have; children with cavities & unattended dental concerns can easily get distracted by pain & discomfort.  If your kiddos are up to date with their dental care, it’s an especially good idea to consider your child’s molars being “sealed” as a preventative measure to avoid future cavities.

I came across a study done by the USC  https://dentistry.usc.edu/2012/08/10/poor-oral-health-can-mean-missed-school-lower-grades/ that explains how poor oral health, dental disease, & tooth pain can place kids at a serious disadvantage in school.  This study that was conducted in 2012 consisted of about 1500 disadvantaged elementary & high school children in the LA Unified School District showed that:

• Children who reported having tooth pain were 4X more likely to have a low GPA compared to those without oral pain.
• Poor oral health is linked to more school absences and missed work for parents.
• 11% of children with limited access to dental care missed school due to poor oral health, as opposed to 4% of children with access to dental care.

My job as a Mouth Monster fighting agent is to help moms & dads do their job of taking their children to the Dentist & to teach them good oral habits from a very early age.  It’s a lot scarier to visit the dentist because of neglect than introducing routine visits to the Dentist from an early age.  If you come in & visit us here at Casa Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics http://www.casasmiles.com/ your kids will look forward to coming back to our Fun Dental Office.

Summertime is great for vacations, but also a good time to stay on track!  Give your kids the gift of a healthy smile:)  It’s time to beat those cavities to the punch.  Let’s fight off those Mouth Monsters together & stay Mouth Monster Free!!

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

 

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well this short work week as we enter our long patriotic weekend of fun & celebration.

In honor of the 4th of July, today’s special report is all about fun & FREE ideas for (healthy) “USA” themed food & snacks, crafts for the kids, & enjoyable activities for the whole family.  I will of course remind you that despite all the fun, don’t forget to brush & floss!  We all know that it’s not a 4th of July celebration without corn & desserts.  It’s early enough in the week where you can pick & choose which activities you’d like to do & what food you’d like to prepare, so based on what you think your family would enjoy, make your shopping list for a fun-filled weekend!

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Start your preparations by printing & asking the kids to cut these fun photo props to help with making lasting memories of this years 4th of July festivities!

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Enjoy a healthy & refreshing breakfast that will keep you cool & nourished:)

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I truly hope that these were all FUN ideas for you to share with your friends & family over this long holiday weekend!  Click on the links below the images to get the complete scoop for each of the recipes/activities.  Remember while you are out in the sun to wear sunscreen & stay hydrated.  Have fun & God Bless America!  Just in case your little ones get some corn stuck in their teeth & want to learn how to floss with some easily accessible items, see below for a fun activity that will keep them busy for just a little bit.

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Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)

Happy “Tooth-Day”!

Farah Flossit here, wishing you well on this beautiful day:)

I recently discovered a very interesting & innovative product that prompted me to address the topic of toddlers & their sippy cups.  In today’s special report I will be bringing awareness to one bad oral health habit you can avoid.  Tooth decay among young children is on the rise & many experts believe that sippy cups containing sugary beverages are responsible.

Once your child graduates to “sippy cup” status, there are few important things to keep in mind:

1. Limit sippy cups to mealtime & snack time.
2. Unless being used at mealtime, the sippy cup should only be filled with water.
3. Sippy cups should not be used at naptime or bedtime unless they only have water in them.

Because sippy cups prevent spills, they are often used by children for long periods of time over months & years rather than a transitional drinking device, a purpose for which they were intended.  The key word TRANSITIONAL DRINKING DEVICE is actually part 2 of today’s special report!  This new design that I have recently discovered encourages building the skill needed to drink like a “big” girl or boy.

“Sippy cups were created to help children transition from a bottle to drinking from a regular cup, but they’re too often used for convenience,” says American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) http://www.aapd.org/ President Philip H. Hunke, DDS., M.S.D.  “When kids sip for extended periods on sugared beverages, they’re exposed to a higher risk of decay.”

There are actually 2 respectable companies that have developed a modern version of the traditional sippy cup. The first one is by Philips (same company as the Sonicare products) AVENT-Natural Drinking Cup.

This Natural Drinking Cup gives your child some independence without any cleanup for moms & dads.  It is designed for toddlers 12 months & older & has a no leak cup with a unique spill-proof valve activated by the pressure of your child’s mouth.  This design comes with a lid to keep the top clean between drinks, making it perfect for traveling.  One thing to note is the innovative 360 degree drinking, that allows your child to drink from any side of the cup.  This can also improve hand-to-mouth coordination.  Plus, it has two small handles, perfect for toddler hands & fingers to grasp.  It is also a BPA-free product.  With its fast flow valve for 12 months & up, the Philips AVENT Natural Drinking Cup is a good choice if you want your child to transition from a sippy cup to a regular cup.

This affordable product that is perfect for either a boy or girl is a spoutless, strawless cup that allows drinking from all round the rim, just like an adult cup.  It encourages your toddler to get used to grown up drinking, without the mess.  Below you will find a helpful video on how to keep your great new buy germ free & clean.

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The second brand that has also introduced this modern concept to help toddlers really TRANSITION to drinking like “big” boys & girls is MUNCHKIN–Miracle 360 Trainer Cup.

 

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MUNCHKIN hangs its hat on designing a sippy cup with both parents & kids in mind.  It eliminates messes & supports kids’ dental health all at once.  Drinking from anywhere around the rim, like a regular cup, helps support normal muscle development in a child’s mouth.  Below you will find a video where you can see what the Miracle 360 is all about!

Either one of these useful affordable,  & modern products can be found at your local Target, Walmart, Publix, or Babies R Us.  I really hope you found today’s fun find useful & informative.

Thank you for tuning in on today’s Happy “Tooth-Day’s” report!

I look forward to chatting with you all next week!

In the meantime, you can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/casasmilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics?pnref=lhc. Instagram http://instagram.com/casasmiles/, Twitter https://twitter.com/casa_smiles, Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-smiles-pediatric-dentistry-and-orthodontics-coral-gables & Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/casasmiles/ to hear all about our daily news!  You can always call or email us with any questions, concerns, to make an appointment, or for a complimentary Ortho Consultation http://www.casasmiles.com/contact-us/.

Your Friend,

Farah Flossit (Special Agent Flossit)